TESCO has closed the door on traders who fear the store’s new parking charge will decimate their business.

As reported by The Argus, customers must spend at least £5 in the Church Road supermarket if they want to use the car park for longer than 30 minutes.

Traders in nearby George Street have told us that this will have a damaging effect on their trade.

An online petition has now been set up opposing the idea and more than 100 people left comments on our website.

But Tesco insists that it will not budge and that the change will come into place on Thursday.

The new system will use automatic number plate recognition technology to catch those who flout the rule.

Retailer Nigel Haigh, who runs a fashion boutique in George Street, warned the decision could be the “last nail in the coffin” for businesses.

He said: “When Tesco gave us the two hours free parking they made positive comments about trying to help local traders.

“They must know that by taking it away it’s going to have an adverse effect.”

He said that older shoppers do not feel comfortable using nearby on-street parking because coin payment options have been removed.

Amanda Luke, one of Mr Haigh’s customers, said she uses the car park every week but now won’t be able to.

She said: “I park in the car park and go to rock choir then I use the local shops as well.

“But that won’t work now so it will definitely affect the amount of money I spend in George Street.”

The online petition has been set up by central Hove councillor Clare Moonan and it has already attracted almost 100 signatures.

The scheme also sparked intense debate online and more than 100 comments have been left on The Argus website.

Views were split with some customers grateful they may now be able to find a parking space.

One comment said:”It’s a pretty good deal really. A fiver for all day parking, and you get to spend the £5 on anything you want.”

Another said: “Don’t forget the amount of car parking spaces reduced behind the Co-op store too. It all comes down to too many people in the end.”

A spokesman for Tesco insisted that the new system will go ahead.

He said: “There are no plans to reconsider.

“The store has long suffered from misuse of its car park because of its location.”

The city council said there are nearby streets where parking starts at £1 per hour.

This includes Belfast Street, Church Road, Haddington Street and Ventnor Villas while Norton Road multi-story car park offers up to nine hours for £5.